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enInternational Friendly: Morocco 3 Kenya 0Late goals helped Morocco down Kenya 3-0 in their international friendly in Marrakech on Monday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/morocco-3-kenya-0-hosts-fire-late-marrakech
Badou Ezzaki's Morocco wrapped up atwo-game swing in winning fashion, with El Mehdi Karnass, Mbark Boussoufa and Mouhcine Iajour all scoring in the final 15 minutes.
Kenya bravely held out for 76 minutes at the Stade de Marrakech, before Karnass - in just his second international appearance - struck the opener for the hosts.
The defensive aspect of Adel Amrouche's men had been their focus but their goal was peppered in the dying stages - as Boussoufa converted from the spot four minutes from time, for his sixth goal for his country.
Iajour added a third in the 89th minute, as Morocco celebrated their third win in a row, and second in four days after a 4-0 win over Central African Republic.
It was Iajour's fifth goal in his ninth cap.
Kenya are without a win in six internationals, losing three of their past four.
news_articleMon, 13 Oct 2014 22:26:07 +0000267714 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comInternational Friendly: Morocco v KenyaKenya are having to overcome a striker crisis as they prepare to face Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco on Monday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/morocco-v-kenya-striker-crisis-hampers-williamsons-men
The withdrawal of Gor Mahia forward Timothy Otieno has come as a blow tocoach Bobby Williamson, withJesse Were and Allan Wanga having already been ruled out.
Clifford Alwanga has also missedthe trip to Marrakechas he did not have the necessary travel documents, yetWilliamson does not plan to utiliseformer captain Dennis Oliech, who has been training with the team this week and has 34 goals for Kenya.
"It is unfortunate that we will not have Timothy Otieno after he got an injury," said Williamson.
"We don't have Wanga and Were. It presents a real crisis up front, but we will have to somehow get a result with what we have at hand.
"I know that Oliech has done a lot for the country and that he still has better days ahead of him, but he is not in my plans for this match.
"We must find a new Oliech."
Kenya captain Victor Wanyama is hopeful his side can impress against Morocco as they seek a first victory since May.
"This is a big match for us in which we hope to learn a lot,"said the Southampton midfielder. "We have had good training and hope to make an impact in [the match]."
Discussing Williamson's decision to leave Oliech out of his squad, Wanyama added: "I cannot speak much about the matter, but I know that Oliech still is a good player, and he has done a lot for the country.It is,however,the coach's task to decide who makes the squad and who doesn't."
In contrast to their opponents, Morocco have an in-form striker at their disposal.
Guangzhou R and F'sAbderrazak Hamdallah boasts 20 goals in the Chinese Super League this seasonand scored a hat-trick on Thursday as Morocco eased to a4-0 victory over Central African Republic.
That victory followed a 3-0 win against Libya in September and Badou Zaki will be eager for his men to keep up the winning habit as they continue their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco made a request this week to postpone the continental tournament -scheduled to be held between January 17 and February 8 next year -due to the Ebola virus, but their plea was rejected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
news_articleSat, 11 Oct 2014 14:47:23 +0000266665 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCAF receives 2017 Africa Cup of Nations bidsThe Confederation of African Football (CAF) has received bids from seven member nations to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/caf-receives-2017-africa-cup-nations-bids
Any nation wishing to put forward their nomination to host the biennial event was set a deadline of September 30.
The tournament's most successful side Egypt have submitted a bid, as have Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Sudan and Zimbabwe.
Originally Libya were set to host the 2017 Cup of Nations, but they pulled out in August citing the unstable security situation in the country.
CAF's executive committee will now decide on the host nation during one of their 2015 sessions.
Outliningthe criteria for selection, CAF released a statement that read: "Due to the limited time frame for the organisation of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, the CAF executive committee will focus on the host with acceptable infrastructure and facilities required [stadia, training grounds, accommodation, communications etc.]in making a decision."
Morocco will host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in January.
news_articleTue, 07 Oct 2014 13:41:53 +0000264764 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comInternational Friendly: Egypt 1 Kenya 0Amr Gamal scored the only goal as Egypt limped to a 1-0 friendly victory over Kenya on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/egypt-1-kenya-0-hosts-limp-friendly-victory
The match presented Shawky Garib's men with afinal chance to fine-tune preparations for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which gets under way in Senegal on Friday.
Egypt were without a host of key players who ply their trade in foreign leagues, and theirunder-strength XI found it difficult to break down a Kenya side ranked 66 below them in theFIFA rankings.
Khaled Kamar wasted two opportunities to hand Egypt the lead in the first half, before Gamal finally broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the break.
The substitute lost his marker beforesliding in to meet a Sabri Rahilcross.
Gamal could have made it two before time was up, but saw a side-footed shot tipped over by the goalkeeper.
Garib will hope for better when a number of his top stars return for next week's Senegal clash.
news_articleSat, 30 Aug 2014 21:42:12 +0000242324 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comInternational Friendly: Egypt v KenyaNew Kenya national coach Bobby Williamson is looking to replicate his KPL club success as he takes on Egypt in his first match in charge.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/egypt-v-kenya-williams-era-begins-aswan
With their international friendly match taking place outside of the FIFA International Match Calendar, Egypt and Kenya will kick off with a mixture of youngsters and locally-based players at the Aswan Stadium on August 30.
For Kenya, it is a chance at redemption as they seek to rebuild after their surprise African Cup of Nations qualifyingelimination at the hands of Lesotho. The loss saw the Kenya FootballFederation (KFF) sacktheir Belgium-born coach Adel Amrouche and his entire technical team.
Experienced Scottish coachBobby Williamson was brought inand he charge of the national team for the first time in Egypt.
However, his preparations have been disrupted after it was revealed that players of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia, who Williamson managed before his appointment as national team coach, will miss out on the match against Egypt.
"We have had two training sessions and none has been attended by Gor Mahia players," said Williamson. "We will therefore not use them for this match."
Key players from Gor that will miss the game include Jerim Onyango, David Owino and Timothy Otieno. This should open the door for the forgotten man of Kenyan football Tusker FC striker Jesse Were.
"I do not think the previous coaches had snubbed me," said Were.
"It is just my time had not come and that has finally happened. I look forward to score goals now that the opportunity is here.
"This is a young team and the players are motivated to give their best. They will succeed in a big way."
Egypt have had their 18-man local squad in a training camp since Monday, with their international stars due to join up with the team only after the Kenya game.
Head coach Shawky Gharib had hoped to add Chelsea's Mohamed Salah to his inexperienced squad for the friendly but his advances were rebuffed by the Premier Leagueoutfit.
"Chelsea refused to release Salah before Kenya's friendly, which is not included in the FIFA calendar," Gharib said.
"The English club confirmed that Salah will be in Cairo on 31 August, five days before our game against Senegal."
Both teams come into the friendly match with something to prove.
Kenya are looking to impress a new manager and rebuild their shattered confidence, while Egypt are determined to show that they will not have a repeat of their failure to qualify for the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments as they prepare for their Group G opener against Senegal on September 5.
news_articleFri, 29 Aug 2014 11:35:01 +0000241349 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAFCON Qualifying Wrap: Ousted Kenya sack coachKenyas 0-0 draw with Lesotho on Sunday ended their Africa Cup of Nations qualification hopes, as well as coach Adel Amrouches tenure.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/africa-cup-nations-qualifying-review-kenya-sack-coach-after-disastrous-elimination
Kenya went into the second leg of their second-qualifying-round clash trailing 1-0, and with their preparations having been disrupted by aone-year suspensionagainst Amrouche.
The Algeriantacticianis alleged to have spat at an official during a qualifier against Comoros in May - with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF)appealing the resulting sanctionto African football's governing body, theCAF.
In Amrouche's absence,James Nandwa led the national side for their vital clash in Nairobi,but he was unable to inspire a victory as they were held bya team ranked 29places below them in the world to lose the tie on aggregate.
After what the FKF described as a "disastrous elimination", the body added in a statement that it "informs the public of its decision to sack the senior men's national team technical bench led by head coach Adel Amrouche".
"Losing the contest to Lesotho in the manner we did is unacceptable," the organisation added.
"The federation, with the support of the government, did everything to have the team ready for this match, including full settlement of allowances and even held our nerves to rally the Kenyan football fraternity to get behind Amrouche following his suspension by CAF.
"They have let the country down and as such they can have no further role to play in the affairs of the national team with immediate effect."
Elsewhere on Sunday, Mozambique joined Lesotho in moving into the group stages of qualifying as they saw off Tanzania 2-1 in the second leg to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
Joao Chissano's men move into Group F alongside Zambia, Cape Verde and Niger while Robert Ssentongo's late strike helped ease Uganda to a second-leg victory over Mauritania.
Leading 2-0 from their first leg in Kampala, Uganda added a third to make sure of their place in Group E, with the hosts forced to play with 10 men for the final 10 minutes afterKaramoko Traore was sent off.
news_articleSun, 03 Aug 2014 19:43:35 +0000224049 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAFCON Qualifying Wrap: Trio take first leg leadsLesotho, Congo and Benin will all take leads into the second legs of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying ties after wins on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/africa-cup-nations-qualifying-review-lesotho-congo-benin-take-first-leg-leads
Bushy Moletsane's goal midway through the second half was enough to give Lesotho a narrow 1-0 home victory over Kenya in Maseru.
The return leg of their second qualifying round tietakes place in Nairobi in two weeks' timeand Lesotho will be wary of Kenya's strong home record, which has seen them go over a year - and seven games - unbeaten on home soil.
Congo, though, can be more confident of reaching the Cup of Nations finals after they beat Rwanda 2-0 in Point-Noire, courtesy of lategoals from Cesaire Gandze and FereboryDore.
Benin have captain Stephane Sessegnon to thank for their 1-0 home win over Malawias the West Brom star scored the only goal of the game after 19 minutes.
And in Sunday's other qualifying clash, Mozambique left it late to snatch a 2-2 draw in their first leg in Tanzania.
Domingues had given Mozambique the lead with a penalty three minutes after half-time, only for Tanzania's Khamis to turn the game on its head with a quick-fire double.
However, Isac had the final say, scoring in the 89th minute to ensure Mozambique will begin their home leg in Maputo on level terms.
news_articleSun, 20 Jul 2014 19:34:15 +0000215649 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAFCON Qualifying Wrap: Kenya through with drawKenya held firm to draw 1-1 with Comoros and progress to the second round of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying 2-1 on aggregate.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/africa-cup-nations-qualifying-wrap-kenya-through-draw-mozambique-also-progress
Johanna Ochieng Omolo's strike in the first leg ensured Kenya took a 1-0 lead into Friday's second leg at the Stade International Said Mohamed Cheikh de Mitsamiouli.
Adel Amrouche's charges faced early pressure as the hosts sought to level the tie, but Comoros were unable to turn their dominance into goals.
The hosts were punished in the 56th minute when Ayub Timbe Masika opened the scoring with an expertly taken free-kick that left the goalkeeper with no chance.
Poor defending from Kenya allowed YacineSaandi to level the scores on the night with 18 minutes remaining.
However, his goal proved in vain as Kenya prevented Comoros from levelling the tie on aggregate.
Mozambique were held to a 0-0 draw by South Sudan in Friday's other fixture, but were already virtually certain to progress after a 5-0 first-leg win.
news_articleFri, 30 May 2014 19:21:12 +0000183188 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAFCON Qualifying Wrap: South Sudan thrashedMozambique put a foot in the second round of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with a 5-0 first-round first-leg thrashing of South Sudan.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/africa-cup-nations-qualifying-wrap-south-sudan-start-life-mozambique-thrashing
South Sudan were competing in their first Cup of Nations match since the nation gained independence in 2011, but could not celebrate the occasion with a performance to match.
Josemar put the hosts ahead inside 13 minutes, with centre-back Mexer doubling the advantage just before the interval.
Sonito grabbed a quickfire double after half-time and Isac Carvalho put the gloss on the scoreline for the home side.
The fixture's second leg will be played in Sudanese capital Khartoum due to ongoing civil unrest in South Sudan.
Perhaps the biggest shock of the day saw Madagascar overcome 1978 finalists Uganda 2-1 in Mahajanga.
Faneva Andriatsima opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot and Carolus Andriamatsinoro put Madagasacar two to the good before the half-hour mark.
Johann Paul wasted a chance to put Madagascar three up when a second spot-kick was awarded, before Hamis Kiiza made no mistake from yet another penalty to give Uganda an away goal and renewed hope ahead of the second leg.
Kenya, Liberia and Tanzania each grabbed 1-0 wins over Comoros, Lesotho and Zimbabwe respectively.
Libya will hope to make up for the disappointment of 2013 in their qualifying campaign.
Set to host last year's tournament, the country saw the event moved to South Africa due to civil war and subsequently lost their automatic spot.
They began their campaign this time around with a 0-0 draw against Rwanda in a game played on neutral territory in Tunisia because of security concerns.
The day's other three games each saw draws. Sierra Leone grabbed an away goal in a 1-1 tie at Swaziland, while Central Africa Republic could not find a way past Guinea-Bissau and the encounter between Burundi and Botswana also ended goalless.
news_articleSun, 18 May 2014 19:02:48 +0000175265 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comWanyama: Pochettinos a good manager and a great man - the Spurs rumours are no surpriseSulaiman Folarin chats to Southamptons midfield dominator about life at St Marys, why Mauricio Pochettino must stay, and making it from Kenya...Sulaiman Folarinhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/wanyama-pochettinos-good-manager-and-great-man-spurs-rumours-are-no-surprise
You're near the end of your first season at Southampton: how have you found it?
It’s been up and down. It has been good and at the same time it hasn’t been great. The team started well and we were in the top four; even I started well. After a while I got injured, though, and that was my low moment this season.
It was really difficult. I was working hard thinking I was going to come back quicker. When I came back I wasn't fully ready, then I was injured again and back to rehab. It wasn't easy. But I had to be strong and keep on working. After almost three months I felt strong again, and was back on the field.
You’ve returned to Southampton’s starting XI. How did you feel when you couldn’t get back in when you returned from injury?
I couldn’t get back immediately because I was injured, and you can't just expect to walk back into the starting line-up right away. The team was doing well. I had to also get my rhythm back, and chemistry with team-mates to some extent. Slowly but surely I played some games, and from there I got my full match fitness and was back in the starting line-up again.
At a point early in the season it seemed Southampton would fight for a spot in Europe. Was that one of the team’s goals?
To be honest with you, we were just trying to finish better than we did the season before. The season before the club finished 14th, and the objective this time was to do better than that. Everything went well. I think we achieved what we wanted because we are better placed than last season. That was an achievement for me.
We’re not thinking about next season yet - we’ll see what the future holds. Our players have been doing well. Hopefully next season we can stick together, do big things and be a great side.
You played in Scotland with Celtic. Did you think a move to the Premier League would come so soon? Was it the right decision?
The Premier League is a big league - everyone sees himself playing in England. That was also my goal. I knew that one day I would be playing here, but it was a tough decision for me to leave a great club to come here. But I’m happy that I made the right decision and I feel good about it.
Mauricio Pochettino brought you to St. Mary’s. What’s your relationship with him like?
We have a good relationship because I trusted the manager when he brought me here. He really helped me to settle in. He is a good coach; he’s not only a good manager but also a great man outside of football. He helps his players whenever he can. As a footballer, I just appreciate what he has done for me and everyone else at the club.
What’s his management style? Does he speak English or use an interpreter in training?
He’s very professional. He has a great philosophy of how to play football, and you can see that in how the team plays. It’s good working under him. He speaks English and we understand the messages he wants to pass on to us. He doesn’t use an interpreter. You know the footballmessage is one that everybody understands - it’s maybenot as difficult as talking in a press conference.
Rumours are circulating that he might leave for Tottenham. What do you make of them?
They are all rumours, although because he is a great manager so many teams will be interested in him. We just hope that he stays because of the work he has done here. I feel like the club can only improve with him - he has done a lot here.
Southampton's top goalscorer Jay Rodriguez is ruled out for six months with an ACL injury. How big a loss is he for the team?
I think he contributed well for us, so it was really a big loss for the team and for England as well. He was on form and he was scoring goals. It was just a shame that the injury came at the wrong time, which is especially bad for the World Cup. He was flying for the club and we miss him.
Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana are part of the PFA Team of the Year and might be part of England’s World Cup squad. What are your impressions of both players?
They are very good players. Hopefully they can make the England team to show people what they have, because they’ve played a big part in the club’s success this season. It would be great seeing them play for England in the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
Let’s talk about Kenya. What was it like growing up and playing football there?
I started as a kid in the streets playing football. My father was a footballer too - that’s how it all started. Growing up in Kenya was not easy, because football there is not run very professionally. I was lucky I got the opportunity to get out of Kenya and come to Europe early. I’m very thankful for that.
In Kenya we have runners and we have people who want to play football. I didn’t grow up with running. I grew up as a footballer on the football side of Kenya, like Nairobi, where it’s more football than running. The runners come from the Rift Valley in Kenya.
West African footballers are more recognisable in Europe compared to East Africans. Why is it more difficult for East Africans to be spotted?
We have good players in East Africa also; it's just that the scouting isn't there. If they came out and to watch the players available, I think they would spot so many talents. I think it’s up to the scouts to make time to come and watch East African players because the talent is there; it exists. I came from there, after all.
I don’t only represent Kenya, I represent Africa. I really think I’m a role model there and a lot of players look up to me so I need to lead by example. This will inspire others to strive to the highest levels and hopefully get spotted.
At 22 you’re captain of the Kenyan national team. What’s it like to wear that armband?
For me I don’t think it’s a big issue, although I do think it’s a test for me as well as a challenge. I’m really enjoying being the captain, but it’s not easy. I must say I have been handling it well. It’s a good thing for me as I grow as footballer.
What can we expect from Kenyan football going forward? Making it to AFCON Morocco 2015, or going to Russia in 2018?
We have to start with qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations first. The World Cup I think is too big for us; we have to take it step by step. When we’ve played in the AFCON then we’ll see what will happen.
There are five African teams heading to Brazil with plenty of household names from the Premier League. How many African teams can make it out of the first round?
All of the African sides are really good teams. I’m sure two or three African teams will make it to the second round in Brazil. Those teams are a lot better than people give them credit for.
Do you think England can advance from their World Cup group?
I think they have a good team, but they are also in a very tough group. It’s going to be difficult for them, but I want them to make it - I want them to top the group. They have really good players, like my team-mates. If they go there and work hard they can make it... even to the final.
featureFri, 09 May 2014 18:00:00 +0000Joe Brewin163624 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comNigeria to face South Africa in AFCON qualifyingAfrica Cup of Nations champions Nigeria will face South Africa and Sudan when they bid to reach the 2015 tournament in Morocco.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/nigeria-face-south-africa-cup-nations-qualifying
Stephen Keshi's men lifted the trophy for the third time in 2013 with a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso and will meet the hosts of that tournament, South Africa, in qualifying for the 2015 competition.
The two sides are joined by Sudan in Group A, with a final place to be taken by a qualifier from the preliminary rounds in the form of Namibia, Congo, Libya or Rwanda.
Burkina Faso face matches against Angola and Gabon in Group C, and could be joined by Liberia, Lesotho, Kenya or Comoros.
Ivory Coast and Cameroon, who will join Nigeria at this year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil, were drawn together in Group D of qualifying alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ghana - another nation heading to the World Cup - face West African rivals Togo in Group E, while Algeria, Africa's other representative in Brazil, have games against Mali and Ethiopia to look forward to in Group B.
Seven-time winners Egypt will face Tunisia and Senegal in Group G.
Africa Cup of Nations 2015 qualifying draw in full:
Group A: Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan plus one of Namibia, Congo, Libya and Rwanda
Group B: Mali, Algeria, Ethiopia plus one of Sao Tome and Principe, Benin, Malawi and Chad
Group C: Burkina Faso, Angola, Gabon plus one of Liberia, Lesotho, Kenya and Comoros
Group D: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, DR Congo plus one of Swaziland, Sierra Leone, Gambia and Seychelles
Group E: Ghana, Togo, Guinea plus one of Madagascar, Uganda, Mauritania and Equatorial Guinea
Group F: Zambia, Cape Verde, Niger plus one of Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Sudan
Group G: Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal plus one of Burundi, Botswana, Central African Republic and Guinea Bissau.
news_articleSun, 27 Apr 2014 18:08:28 +0000161039 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAfrica Qualifying Wrap: Cameroon advanceCameroon clinched a spot in the final round of FIFA World Cup qualifying with a 1-0 victory over Group I rivals Libya on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/africa-qualifying-wrap-cameroon-advance
Going into the game in Yaounde, both sides were still able to secure top posiiton in the pool but Aurelien Chedjou’s first international goal in the 42nd minute separated the teams.
Cameroon can now turn their attention to the final round, which will see them take on one of the other group winners in a two-legged tie played in October and November for the right to compete at Brazil 2014.
In Group I's other fixture, Togo picked up their first win of the second qualifying section with a 2-1 success over Congo DR in Lome.
Elsewhere, Benin's hopes of qualification were already gone before Sunday's action and but they rounded off their Group H campaign with a 2-0 win over Rwanda.
Kenya also managed to salvage some pride by beating Namibia 1-0 in Nairobi to pick up their first win in Group F.
Group D strugglers Lesotho also finished their campaign with a dramatic 3-2 success over bottom-placed Sudan in Omdurman, Tsoanelo Koetle grabbing the winner 10 minutes from time.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe and Mozambique both ended their schedules without a win in Group G by playing out a 1-1 draw in Harare.
news_articleSun, 08 Sep 2013 20:51:24 +000055174 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFIFA World Cup Qualifying: Kenya 1 Namibia 0Kenya finished off their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with an overdue win in a 1-0 triumph over Namibia on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fifa-world-cup-qualifying-kenya-1-namibia-0
The two sides, who reached the second round of qualifying with two-legged wins over Seychelles and Djibouti respectively, entered the fixture in Nairobi with no chance of making the third round.
They both struggled in Group F, with Adel Amrouche's side were winless in their five group matches, while Nairobi's only win was a 1-0 triumph against Kenya last year.
Pride was all that was on the line at the Moi International Sports Centre and it was Kenya who won it, thanks to an early goal.
David Owino was the scorer, with the defender firing Kenya into a fifth-minute lead.
Namibia pressed valiantly for an equaliser but Kenya, led by Southampton star Victor Wanyama, held on for all three points.
As a result of their victory, Kenya moved above Namibia and to third in the Group F table.
The qualifying campaign for both nations is over now, with Nigeria progressing, as expected, to the third round after topping Group F.
news_articleSun, 08 Sep 2013 17:01:13 +000055070 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFIFA World Cup Qualifying: Kenya v NamibiaKenya and Namibia meet in Nairobi on Sunday playing for pride, with both unable to progress in FIFA World Cup qualifying.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fifa-world-cup-qualifying-kenya-v-namibia
The hosts have yet to win during this campaign and sit bottom of Group F with three points, while Namibia have just one victory – against Kenya – and are four points behind leaders Nigeria with one game to play.
Kenya coach Adel Amrouche has recalled striker Dennis Oliech back into his squad having previously dropped the 28-year-old after he failed to attend a training session in June.
Amrouche is hoping the experienced striker – and former captain – will be available to lead the line for a side that have only scored three goals in their five matches.
The Algerian coach has also handed new caps to youngsters Rodgers Omondi and Jesse Were, and the 45-year-old is hopeful they can give them a boost.
"We have no chance of qualifying but we're going to play to win and we must give our best," he said.
"And that's exactly why I've called the foreign-based players to guide and motivate the younger players, this will also help us build a team for the future.
"Omondi and Were should bring a new dimension to the team's attack."
Kenya have yet to win a competitive fixture under Amrouche since he took over in March, and Namibia are aiming to provide another stern test for his side.
Namibia coach Ricardo Manetti has called up AmaZulu quartet Willem Mwedihanga, Sadney Urikhob, Pineas Jacob and Larry Horaeb to his side, however he will be without captain Da Costa Angula.
The defender is ruled out with a lower-abdominal strain, while experienced striker Henrico Botes has been left out to give younger players the chance to impress up front.
Manetti is confident they can step-up to the challenge
"I have trust and confidence in the current crop of players," he said.
"It was always going to be a difficult decision to leave out some players and bring others in but finally I have this group whom I trust."
Namibia have also struggled in their qualifying campaign, scoring even fewer goals than Kenya - with just two in five matches.
news_articleThu, 05 Sep 2013 16:06:01 +000053440 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com